Beadstores In Portland, OR & Boston, MA.

Q: I will be traveling to Portland, OR next week and Boston, MA in Mid-January. I would like to do some bead shopping. Does anyone know where some good places are to get beads? I am also interested in vintage sewing tools.

A: There is a great bead store in Hingham, Massachusetts. They are primarily mail order, but don't mind people coming in. Their sale room is wonderful!!! I don't know the name of the store, but they're in the book. There are several in Boston: 'The Pear Tree', and 'Beadworks' come to mind. If you want gemstone beads of good quality, check out the 'Stoneworks' in Dunstable, MA, which is north of Boston. They even have some unusual beads such as 'Tanzanite' and 'Tsavorite', 'Morgan Hill Poppy Jasper', 'Morrison Ranch Jasper', etc. They also manufacture wampum. (www.tiac.net/users/wampum). I heartily second the vote for 'Stoneworks' - they are not cheap, but they have some of the finest quality stone beads and cabs around - like the higher quality dealers you find at the 'International G & J' shows. 'Dunstable' is about a 45 min. drive from downtown Boston. If you want Czech glass or seed beads or books, be sure and go to 'Crystal Blue Beads' in Watertown. They have 'Fire-Polish', Pressed Glass', and a great selection of 'Magatmas' and 'Teardrops'. Watertown is one of the inner suburbs. Also, if you find yourself on Newbury street, there are several antique stores, some specializing in jewelry. Rather pricey, though - check the bargain bins.

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